{"product_id":"science-of-the-magical-from-the-holy-grail-to-love-potions-to-superpowers-9781476777115","title":"Science of the Magical: From the Holy Grail to Love Potions to Superpowers","description":"\u003cb\u003e\"Filled with cool cocktail-party tidbits, Matt Kaplan considers how things that were once the stuff of legends could one day become reality\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Atlantic\u003c\/i\u003e) in this fun scientific inquiry into the mystical places and magical objects of ancient and contemporary lore--from the fountain of youth, to love potions, to Super Mario's mushrooms.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCan migrations of birds foretell our future? Do phases of the moon hold sway over our lives? Are there sacred springs that cure the ill? What is the best way to brew a love potion? How do we create mutant humans who regenerate like Wolverine? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\"In\u003ci\u003e Science of the Magical\u003c\/i\u003e, Matt Kaplan takes us on a journey spiced with the wonders of myth, history and art, leavened with impeccable research, endlessly fascinating. And the result is both a compelling read and a deeply thoughtful exploration of the world around us and the ways we seek to understand it\" (Deborah Blum, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Poisoner's Handbook\u003c\/i\u003e). Like Ken Jennings and Mary Roach, Kaplan serves as a friendly armchair guide to the world of the supernatural. From the strengthening powers of Viking mead to the super soldiers in movies such as \u003ci\u003eCaptain America\u003c\/i\u003e, Kaplan explores cultures and time periods to point out that there is often much more to these enduring magical narratives than mere fantasy. Informative and entertaining, \u003ci\u003eScience of the Magical\u003c\/i\u003e is \"a sprightly survey\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e) and \"a joy to read...highly recommended\" (\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKaplan, Matt:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Matt Kaplan is a science correspondent with \u003ci\u003eThe Economist. \u003c\/i\u003eHe has also contributed to \u003ci\u003eNational Geographic\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNew\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eScientist\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eNature\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe New York Times. \u003c\/i\u003eHe is the author of the book \u003ci\u003eThe Science of Monsters. \u003c\/i\u003eIn 2014, Kaplan was awarded a Knight Science Journalism Fellowship which he used to study the sciences at MIT and folklore at Harvard.","brand":"Scribner Book Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50544539566354,"sku":"9781476777115","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0a0d910e-5a96-49ae-a484-dc27cc1b9a4e.jpg?v=1731530352","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/science-of-the-magical-from-the-holy-grail-to-love-potions-to-superpowers-9781476777115","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}